Noted actor Bobby Deol is on a roll with roles, and he gives an inside look into his most recent projects in this fascinating interview. Speaking with Subhash K Jha the actor talks about his hit series Aashram, now in its third season including playing the challenging character of Baba Nirala. He also touches on his incredible turn in the film Animal and hints at what he has coming up next.
How do you explain the ongoing popularity of the series?
I think it’s such a subject that it connects with all the masses and everybody, every society, you know. That’s why it’s worked so well, and also, the biggest reason is that Prakashji (Jha), as a filmmaker and a maker, knows exactly how to write according to the pulse of the audiences, and that’s why it’s worked.
Subjects on self-appointed godmen like this have been made earlier many times but never worked?
I think it’s Prakashji’s writing and the way he has scripted it and created the characters that has made this work and also because of that, the casting also made a lot of difference. I think the actors chosen for the characters did such a fantastic job that people really did with them, and these are the reasons why it is so loved.
What was your reaction when Prakash offered you the role?
I was really excited. I was at first shocked that I was being offered a role like this. I never thought that I would be offered such a challenging part. I was trying to do things out of my comfort zone but was never getting anything away from my personality or the work I’ve done in my past. And when I was offered Aashram , I thought I had heard something wrongly. I thought I was being offered another part. But Prakashji was offering the Baba’s character. Once I finally figured, I came to terms, I mean, I realized that he wanted me to play the Baba, so I was really excited.
Animal was such a turning point in your career. When do we see the sequel?
Even when I first saw the film, I realized there’s an animal park going to be made. Didn’t know about it till I saw it myself with the audience. And I’m sure Sandeep is planning something but I have no knowledge of anything. What the script is, who’s the cast, obviously the heat is definitely on it( for a sequel, so I don’t know about the remaining cast.
Were there any trepidations about playing the morally depraved godman in Aashram?
I think the greatest joy an actor can get is when people start believing that he is that character. So when I was performing, I am so happy that people saw Baba Nirala.
Didn’t the character’s ugliness affect you?
I’m an actor, we play different characters but we never take them back home with us. It was difficult in the beginning but eventually when I used to come back from work, sit with the same people who I’d worked in the day with and had treated them in a way according to my character does for the real life. But when I was sitting with them, it was real life, and it was all normal, so I would be fine.
Where do you place Aashram and Animal in your repertoire?
Aashram made people realize that Bobby Deol can play different characters. I think it was the most-watched show to date. It was, as my brother Sunny said, the Gadar of the OTT platform. But the magic of the silver screen is something you cannot beat, and Animal changed my life completely. It’s always your work that speaks for you. I think that’s how it started with Class of 83, Aashram, Love Hostel, and then Animal.
Your future projects?
Well, at this point, I cannot really mention what my future projects will be because I’m under contract. But definitely, this year, I have a couple of more releases, both on the OTT platform and on the screen.
I am sure Aashram Season 4 is happening?
I’m sure the way it has been loved and watched by the audiences, I’m sure they are planning and hope they are.
